CAIRO – Seeking to promote modern education among Muslims and reduce stampede for university places, Malawi is planning to open the country’s first Islamic university for students interested in studying Islam.

“We all have the common purpose of seeing Malawi as a country develop and through the right leadership this is possible,” Sidik Mia, Minister of Transports and Public Works, told Nyasa Times on Monday, April 29.

“Leaders need our support.”

Meeting with Muslim leaders at Mangochi Boma Sub mosque, Mia announced plans to open an Islamic university to promote modern education among Muslims in Malawi.

The new institution would welcome students with an interest in Islam, offering them a chance to earn a degree in Islamic studies.

The plans will be launched soon with support from Direct AID Society from Kuwait.

There are currently church-run universities which include the African Bible College, the Livingstonia University owned by Church of Central Africa Presbytery, Seventh Day Adventist University and Catholic University.

There are also three state universities in the country.

As the country is suffering from stampede for university students, the opening of the Islamic university will help ease the problem.

Helping Needy

Minister Mia urged Muslims to realize the importance of assisting towards the growth of Islam and providing help for the needy.

“I call upon the Muslim community to embrace the spirit of helping the needy,” Mia, who is the vice president of People’s Party (South), said.

Setting an example, the minister made donation amounting to over K2.5 million for building projects of additional school blocks at the primary school under the Sub Mosque.

The Minister, who is Vice President of the Muslim Association of Malawi Board, also donated money towards the building project at Mathanjesi Mosque within Mangochi Boma.

Islam is the second largest religion in the southern African country after Christianity.

Official statistics suggest Muslims constitute 12 percent of the country’s 12 million people, but the umbrella Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) puts the rate at 36.